THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indians have resorted to divine Gods help for releaseof former Navy officer Khulbhushan Jadav, facing a death row in Pakistan oncharges of espionage.
Indian citizen forum today made ‘pongala’ offering to the presiding deityof Atukkal Bhagavathy temple for release of the RAW spy Kulbhusahn Jhadav.
As thousands of women prepared ‘pongala’ (a mix of rice, jaggery andscraped coconut offering made to the deity) in makeshift brick stoves onthe roadsides, the forum took part in the event seeking divine interventionfor the early release of 47-year-old Jhadav, New Indian Express hasreported.
President of the East Forte Paura Samithi P K S Rajan said they offeredpongala as they wanted justice for Jhadav.
“This is to show our commitment. This is an issue which has national andinternational ramifications. We want justice for him,” he told PTI.
At the spot in East Forte, the group displayed a big flex board with apicture of Jadav with two Indian flags just below the photograph of GoddessAtukkal Devi, who is worshipped by women on this day by making the’pongala’ offering.
Jadav has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on chargesof espionage and terrorism.
The International Court of Justice in last May halted his execution onIndia’s appeal.
Several film and television actors and well-known personalities were amongthose who offered ‘pongala’ this year.